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Conference USA announced via press release that a new men’s basketball scheduling format will be implemented in 2018-19.

The new format will group teams together based on win-loss records after 14 conference games, and C-USA hopes the increase in quality late season matchups will increase its representation in postseason tournament play.

“With the goals to improve seeding and increase the number of teams that advance to the postseason, we viewed this as a great opportunity to enhance our top teams’ resumes by providing them additional quality games within their conference schedule,” C-USA Commissioner Judy MacLeod said.

“Nonconference scheduling will continue to be a priority but this will provide a real-time analysis to create competitive matchups for teams and their fans.”

The release states that C-USA teams will match up against each team in the conference over the first seven weeks of the season, and after 14 league games, the teams’ place in the standings will determine their place in either the top two groups of five (1-5 and 6-10), or the bottom group of four (11-14).

Once seeded, the teams in each group will play against one another again during the final three weeks of the regular season, a total of four games.

After the conclusion of the three weeks, C-USA will begin its league tournament, featuring the top 12 teams in the conference.

According to the release, the format was passed in January by C-USA Athletics Directors and Board of Directors, after talks with former Central Connecticut head basketball coach and ESPN NBA analyst Mark Adams. The details were later finalized during the C-USA annual spring meetings in Destin, Florida.

“This new scheduling plan uniquely combines the goals of Conference USA leaders and supporters. It combines a traditional schedule with an exciting end-of-season format that will surely catch the attention of college basketball fans and the NCAA Tournament selection committee.” Adams said.